Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 274: Great Sense of Danger

Chapter 274: Great Sense of Danger

Julia understood that Arabella’s marriage could have been ruined if she was seen with Andrew in that state and Ferdinand misunderstood.

Sera and Andrew’s marriage could have been ruined as well. They could have even lost their child if something happened to Sera due to all the emotions she could have felt if she saw Andrew looking all flushed and aroused while with Arabella.

And if the other princesses and ladies had seen Arabella and Andrew in such a state, and Ferdinand and Sera were both emotional, all sorts of rumors would spread.

Arabella and Andrew would both be seen as cheaters, who, despite being married, cannot even control their urges for another’s spouse, during such important times when they were supposed to be focusing on the Assembly.

For royals and nobles, concubines were usually allowed to have more children to carry on the bloodline and ensure there would be heirs so the family line and power would not decline.

Getting as many concubines as you want or as many as your spouse would allow was fine. But cheating was an entirely different matter.

An affair was still an affair. Even if nobles do it, they hide it with all their might.

If Arabella and Andrew were branded cheaters, their future would be ruined. Rumors would follow them wherever they go. Ferdinand might start a war as well.

Julia understood that much which was why she was at a loss for words and could not reply to Arabella for a while. She understood that plotting something that could have led to such disaster would have punishment equal to what it could have led to.

[Executing my maids would not be enough. Would they ask for my maids’ families to be wiped out? No, what if her husband would declare war on us? Our kingdom would be laid to waste.] Julia was in panic mode.

’That’s a bit of a stretch. Ferdinand wouldn’t do that.’

However, if Julia’s maid was the sole plotter, she could indeed be executed because of what she committed. But the maid’s family would not if they had no part in it.

[If I don’t allow them to see my maids, it would imply I am trying to hide something from them. But if I showed them my maids and one of them was the one who plotted this, I can’t even ask for mercy. If I ask for mercy it would be akin to me admitting I have a part in this. Even if I’m royalty, Valeria could easily ruin us.]

"Don’t worry, we won’t do anything if the culprit was not one of your maids. After all, what we are after is the one who plotted all this," Arabella tried to calm Julia.

With her great sense of danger from trying to please everyone so their small kingdom would not be implicated by her actions, Julia understood what Arabella implied.

If someone else was behind it but simply used Julia’s maid, the punishment would not be as heavy as it should be for her maid.

[Don’t tell me... Could it be Lucille?! Did she pressure my maids or coerced them? But why would she go this far? This is too dangerous. Had she truly gone crazy this time?] Julia was wide-eyed at her realization.

After realizing that her maid was simply used by another person, Julia finally agreed and had all her personal maids summoned.

Alwin then fetch the palace maids and they confirmed that it was indeed one of Julia’s handmaids, the one called Beth, who paid them to do what they did.

"Why did you do that? How could you try to harm Her Majesty? She’s my friend," Julia was horrified that it was indeed one of hers who set up Arabella.

"I... I..." Beth was green as she looked around the room.

[What should I do?! If I tell them, my family would be killed by Princess Lucille’s people. And my affair with the Count would be revealed.]

Arabella learned from Beth’s thoughts that she is the mistress of a Count from Barlowe Kingdom (Julia’s Kingdom).

The Count had not gotten Beth as a legal concubine due to inheritance issues that may arise. The family of the Count was close friends with the family of his wife so he cannot get a concubine yet while his wife had not yet borne them a son.

Due to this, his relationship with Beth has to be kept in the meantime. However, for some unknown reason, Lucille learned about it and used it to threaten Beth to do her bidding.

Lucille had ensured that even if Beth was caught, she would not tell the truth even if the punishment was death since Beth’s family would be harmed and her affair with the Count would be revealed.

Thus, Beth admitted that the setup was all her fault, apologized, and said she would accept her punishment willingly.

"Is that so? Then how about your whole family getting executed for almost causing irreparable harm to both me and my husband, and Prince Andrew and Sera," Arabella said and Beth and Julia both looked like they might pass out.

Alwin and Rendell glanced at each other but just silently watched.

"Y-Your Majesty, please have mercy. My family had no part in this. It was all my fault. Please execute me alone," Beth kneeled on all fours and begged.

"Why should I show you mercy? If my husband is as cruel as the rumors about him say, he could have killed me himself due to what you have done. Thankfully, my husband is very kind and observant so he knew immediately that I was not cheating on him. But did you know that Prince Andrew’s wife is pregnant? If something happened to her baby, it would be your fault. Do you understand what I mean? Even if I do not punish you, Lahar will not forgive you either for almost making them lose an heir. Causing harm to royalty is enough reason to punish you and your entire family," Arabella glared at Beth and the maid shivered.

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A/N:

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